Adventures in Gardening

Because we are home ALL THE TIME during this season of quarantine, the kids and I decided that this would be a good time to try out the raised beds sitting in our backyard. (Gifts from the previous owners of our home.) I have never been good at keeping plants alive - it may be a lack of knowledge or just a general apathy toward all of that watering and weeding but I figured I've been raising kids for 9 years now so how hard can a few plants be?

With the help of a good friend we made a simple plan (only the hardiest and easiest to grow veggies and flowers), we prepped the soil, purchased the supplies, built a fence, took pictures and generally felt pretty proud of ourselves...

And then temperatures plummeted and even though we tried to provide cover and warmth I think 1/4 of the plants died within 24 hours of being planted in the earth. Disheartening. We aren't giving up, we've got too much time and money invested at this point, but it was a reminder to me that sometimes the best laid plans go awry.

It actually reminds me a lot of parenting. On the eve of Mother's Day I am sitting here contemplating how little I can actually control about my life or the life of my kids. This can be disheartening. We plan and prep and plant good seeds. We water and weed and provide cover and then we must give them into the Lord's hands. This is a good wake up call for me less I begin to think that in DOING ALL THE THINGS, all the bible studies and the worship songs and the spiritual disciplines we can somehow guarantee godly offspring. We are called to do these things - it is wise and loving to do these things - but ultimately it is ONLY God who brings the growth.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything,

but only God who gives the growth.

1 Cor. 3:7

This lack of control is good for us - it brings us to our knees. I have been praying for the Lord to protect our plants at night (something I have never, ever prayed before) and that forced reliance on His provision - even in this small area - is good for my heart. We are such a self-reliant society it is unnatural and dare I say refreshing to feel our lack.

As we contemplate school options for next fall, activities and hobbies the kids might be involved with as well as behavioral issues we are noticing, it is humbling and helpful to bring all of this before the Lord. We plant the seed of God's word in them daily, we provide what shelter, provision and protection we can and then we pray. O God who brings this miracle from the soil, grow something good in our children for Your glory! Amen.

"You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust.

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us."